HGP Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is the human genome project?
3 billion base pairs in a human genome sequenced
How can this be helpful
can allow geneticists to locate and map where disease-causing alleles are located. New drugs that target proteins that these alleles code for can be developed
What is personalised medicine
unique treatment plans can be developed based on genetic variations in each patient
What’re the 4 main aims of HGP
-to identify all genes in the human genome
-to find each gene’s locus
-to determine the sequence of 3 billi base pairs that make up human DNA
-store this info in databases for free access by any scientist
Describe how the HGP could lead to personalized medicine
-genetic variations of individual patients could be found, drugs can be developed that target specific disease causing alleles
explain genetic modification in prokaryotes
1)restriction enzyme cuts the DNA
2)fragments that’ve been cut have single-stranded overhangs
3) fragments with matching overhangs base-pair and stick together
4)DNA ligase seals the gaps
what is a target gene
specific gene used to edit
what is DNA ligase
sticks DNA together
how can prokaryotes be genetically modified to produce insulin
plasmid in prokaryote digested by restriction enzyme
target gene added (insulin)
joins to matching base pairs in fragments
joined with DNA ligase
Recombinant plasmid formed
What can new drugs target to treat disease?
-molecules contributing to disease
-identification of genes allows identification of drug targets
how does HGP improve preventative medicine and drug treatment
Variation in base sequences may account for why some people experience side effects for drug therapies
Identification of mutations associated with a particular disease allows patient to make lifestyle changes or preventative drug therapy
how does GMO work
-gene of interest/target gene (good thing) is removed using restriction enzymes
-sticky ends (short single-stranded segments of DNA) are produced
-DNA ligase joins gene and plasmid together
-gene is taken up by bacteria which replicate to produce many copies of the target gene
-the target gene/ gene of interest synthesises a protein to be extracted
what’re methods of artificial introduction of genetic material from another organism
-genetic modification
-genetic engineering
-genetic manipulation
-recombinant DNA technology
What’re products of genetic engineering
-transgenic organism
-genetically modified organism (GMO)
describe the role of restriction enzymes
-used to cut DNA of both the organism with the desired gene
Give the ethical implication of the HGP
-is ownership of organisms ethical?
-antibiotic resistance genes put into microbes, could increase antibiotic resistance, antibiotics ineffective
-viruses could be transferred from animals to humans
-superweeds that compete with plants we need/contamination of plant species
Describe how HGP could lead to personalised medicine
HGP allows geneticists to locate where the disease causing alleles are located
genetic variations in patients can be found
what is genetic modification
useful genes being transferred from one organism to another/insertion of genes for valuable characteristics
faster process than artificial selection
Give the pros of using genetically modified organisms
faster process than artificial selection
crops could be grown in higher yield, with increased nutritional value or medicinal properties, more accessible medicine
cost effective
diseases can be treated with human proteins produced by genetically modified organisms instead of animal proteins>reduces the risk of allergic reactions
crops can be modified to be pest resistant>may reduce pesticide use
Give the cons of using genetically modified organisms
ownership of some genetic sequencing
pests may develop genetic resistance to modified crops may increase pesticide usage or render pesticides ineffective
we dont know the long term impact of genetically modified foods
genetically modified crops are usually owned by companies so higher prices are often charged, less accessibility
Describe how an organisms’ genome can be modified, incl. the names of enzymes involved and their role
restriction enzymes could be used to snip specific genes out of their DNA
plasmid digested and target gene added to a prokaryotic cells’ plasmid, stuck together with DNA ligase
recombinant gene formed
answer: human gene isolated and then added to a plasmid
this plasmid is then added to a bacterial cell
after bacterial cell has multiplied many times the chemical will be added to switch on the human gene
human protein is synthesised by the gene and the protein is collected and purified
purified protein used as a treatment
why is only one restriction enzyme used in stage 1 of genetic modification
restriction enzymes cut a specific base sequence
(the active site of restriction enzymes is complementary to different DNA base sequences
each enzyme cuts the DNA at a specific location/ cuts a specific base sequence)
Leaves sticky ends in plasmid and human DNA, These are complementary in human dna and plasmid so only one restriction enzyme needed
how does the chemical cause the human gene to be switched on
its a transcription factor
attaches to promoter region on DNA
RNA polymerase able to move down DNA and translate genes that code into proteins
answer: THINK INSULIN>THE CHEMICAL IS A HORMONE
HORMONES CAN BE TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS
-so the chemical is a hormone/transcription factor
-transcription complex forms: transcription factor+ OPERATOR region
-RNA polymerase can now bind to promoter
-mRNA from that gene (sequence?) can now be translated
What happens to the DNA around histone proteins after acetylation
DNA is wrapped less tightly around histone proteins
